In a significant shift, key UN agencies are revising their communication strategies regarding climate change, coinciding with Donald Trump’s return to the White House. Documents obtained by The Update Desk reveal a stark reduction in references to climate change across major humanitarian organisations, despite the escalating global climate crisis characterised by unprecedented heatwaves and severe flooding.
UN Agencies Dial Back Climate References
Internal reports from prominent UN entities, including the World Food Programme (WFP), the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), indicate a notable decline in the discussion of climate issues in their strategic frameworks. This trend emerges amidst a backdrop of shifting US government policies and funding priorities under the Trump administration, which has historically been a significant contributor to UN funding.
Catherine Pettengell, executive director of the Climate Action Network UK, emphasised the implications of this shift: “The current US administration decided to withdraw from 66 international organisations, in what was a profound retreat from global cooperation that is actively undermining the collective safety and health of people everywhere.” She insists the UN must maintain its commitment to addressing climate change, regardless of external pressures.
The Impact of Funding Cuts
The reduction in climate discourse is not merely rhetorical; it has tangible implications for funding and development programmes. The World Food Programme, which aims to assist 110 million individuals in 2026, has seen a significant drop in US support, with funding plummeting from $4.5 billion to $2.1 billion. This financial squeeze appears to influence how these agencies frame climate-related challenges.
Tracy Gilbert, a British MP and co-chair of the UK All-Party Parliamentary Group on the UN Sustainable Development Goals, remarked on the broader consequences of this shift: “We have seen in the UK the impact of climate change with more extreme and unpredictable weather. This will be felt even more harshly in developing countries reliant on this aid, and will have ramifications for the entire world, regardless of whether political parties accept the reality of climate change.”
Changing Strategic Plans
The findings from The Update Desk illustrate a concerning trend in strategic planning. For instance, the WFP’s recent country strategies for Rwanda, Iraq, and Guatemala have drastically reduced mentions of “climate” from 31, 23, and 41 instances, respectively, to merely two, one, and none in their updated plans. Similar reductions are evident in the UNDP’s strategic plan, which decreased references from 25 to 15 in its 2026-2029 document, signalling a shift away from prioritising climate action.
The International Organisation for Migration’s climate appeal has also been condensed significantly, with mentions of “climate change” dwindling from 41 in the Biden-era document to just two in the Trump-era appeal. This suggests a troubling trend where urgent climate issues are being sidelined in favour of more politically palatable narratives.
Resilience in Other UN Agencies
While many UN agencies are scaling back their climate messaging, others like UNICEF are witnessing an increase in climate references, reflecting a more urgent need for action in light of escalating global challenges. UNICEF’s strategies, drafted in collaboration with national governments, demonstrate a commitment to addressing climate impacts, in stark contrast to the trends observed in agencies heavily reliant on US funding.
However, the overall impact of these changes remains to be fully assessed. Karen Mathiasen from the Center for Global Development cautioned that while rhetoric shifts can influence programme design, “UN agency strategies are important because they set priorities, guide resource allocation and provide a framework for accountability.”
Why it Matters
The implications of this shift in UN agencies’ climate messaging are profound. As the effects of climate change intensify globally, the reluctance to address these issues head-on in strategic documents could hinder the effectiveness of humanitarian efforts. With millions of vulnerable people relying on aid, the challenge of climate adaptation and resilience must not be underestimated. The world is at a critical juncture, and the decisions made now will resonate for generations to come.